temerity

[ tuh-mer-i-tee ]

noun

1. reckless boldness; rashness.

   Synonyms: foolhardy, effrontery, audacity

temerity

/ ˌtɛməˈrɛərɪəs; tɪˈmɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. rashness or boldness

Derived Forms

• temerarious, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of temerity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English temeryte, from Latin temeritās “hap, chance, rashness,” equivalent to temer(e) “by chance, rashly” + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of temerity¹

C15: from Latin temeritās accident, from temere at random

Example Sentences

If you are going to have the temerity to put women in cages for our entertainment, you’d better figure out a way to let them out.

From Los Angeles Times

He was still seething when the week ended, when Martha MacCallum of Fox News had the temerity to note that Harris was “having some success” at attracting young and minority voters.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump hasn’t the temerity nor the ability to handle reality.

From Salon

They did not bank on the temerity of their own stars, who on Monday lined up one by one to denounce NBC’s decision on its own airwaves.

From New York Times

Arts and culture were considered news-making at the Voice, which had the temerity to put on its cover a story I wrote on Lee Breuer’s deconstruction of Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” with little people.

From Los Angeles Times